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Friday, March 29, 2024 - 07:26 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 KJV

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Both sides of Kris “Tanto” Paronto’s business card has the same message: “John 15:13.” The United States is most fortunate to have active duty and veteran military personnel that not only uphold their oath to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” but also willingly give their lives in order to save the lives of their comrades.

A few hundred Upstate citizens had a rare opportunity last Wednesday and Thursday to meet a legitimate living hero and hear a true and accurate account of what happened during the Benghazi attack. Kris “Tanto” Paronto was one of the survivors of the attack on the U.S. State Department Special Mission compound in Benghazi, Libya, on the night of September 11, 2012.

This was the attack that resulted in the deaths of Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, State Department Communications Officer, Sean Smith, and Tyrone “Rone” Woods.

“Tanto” was more than a survivor. He and his fellow contract CIA security personnel disobeyed orders to  “stand down” and instead went to the aid of Ambassador Stevens and his small staff contingency.

Located a mile away, the security contractors, all experienced military combat veterans, received numerous pleas for help from the Ambassador and his aides as they were attacked by terrorists units. Eventually, the radio and cell phones were silent. Despite orders to the contrary, half a dozen security operators left the safety of their location, and fought their way to the State Department compound.

The 2014 book, titled 13 Hours in Benghazi: The Inside Account of what Really Happened, by Mitchell Zuckoff, with the Annex Security Team, documents the facts of what happened on the ground in Benghazi. The book avoids speculating on the ongoing controversy in Washington, D.C., that is the subject of the congressional inquiry headed by Fourth District Congressman Trey Gowdy. A movie from the book is currently in production.

The Times Examiner, Mrs. Betty Poe and Gateway Global sponsored an appreciation dinner for Tanto attended by about 50 individuals on Wednesday evening. On Thursday he spoke to about 200 members and guests of the Greenville County Republican Women’s Club at the Poinsett Club.

Attendees at both events were intrigued by the raw honesty of “Tanto” as he described the hour to hour events as they unfolded on the evening when an American Ambassador was pleading for help and none was allowed to come.

After hearing the moving story that neither the State Department, CIA or White House have told or even acknowledged, virtually everyone purchased one or more copies of the book. Tanto cheerfully autographed, chatted and wrote a personal note in each copy.

Tanto is an admirer and supporter of the work being done by Congressman Gowdy. He is hopeful that Gowdy will be able to expose the individual or individuals in Washington who refused to provide adequate security for the Ambassador and refused to send help during the 13 hour attack.

Tyrone “Rone” Woods, a retired Navy Seal, was killed by a direct hit during a mortar attack on the compound as he fought off attackers.

Tanto, is a former member of the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment, had spent a decade working as a contract security operator in dangerous places. This tough fighting machine with a contagious smile and colorful personality considered his job a part of the battle between good and evil. He described firefights and tracers zooming by his head as casually as if they were pesky mosquitoes.

Tanto served on active duty as both an officer and NCO. He holds a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice and has a son and daughter.

Privately, Tanto acknowledges that he has personal security concerns.

Although 13 Hours was cleared and contains no classified information, and Tanto and his team can’t legally discuss what their real job was in Benghazi, powerful politicians have much to lose by the truth about Benghazi being exposed.

Because the 5 surviving security operators disobeyed orders and fought to save American lives, they received no recognition, no compensation, and will not likely ever be allowed to work in their chosen profession.

Many news stories have been inaccurate. For example, there were reports that Ambassador Stevens was sexually abused, tortured and his body mutilated. Tanto refutes the report, saying he inspected the body and there were no signs of abuse. He died from smoke inhalation.

13 Hours is a book that all who have been following the news on Benghazi should read.

The publisher writes, “13 Hours” sets the record straight on what happened during a night that has been shrouded in mystery and controversy.  This riveting book takes readers into the action-packed story of heroes who laid their lives on the line for one another, for their countrymen, and for their country.”

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